Mental Health for Older Persons

State Advisory Council on Aging
2006 Annual Report
to the
Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging
Mental Health for Older Persons
Commissioner Annette Guilfoyle, Chairperson
April 2006
2006 ANNUAL REPORT
STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING
MENTAL HEALTH
Table of Contents
Executive Summary and Recommendation…………………………………………
4-5
State Advisory Council’s Meeting Summary……………………………………….
6
Mental Health and Aging……………………………………………………………
7-12
State Advisory Council Members' Activities……………………………………….
13
Elder Friendly Communities: Update………………………………………………
14
State Advisory Council on Aging Roster……………………………………………
15
State Advisory Council on Aging Presenters and Guests…………………………...
16
Anti-Stigma: Do You Know the Facts……………………………………………..
17
Resources to End Stigma……………………………………………………………
18
SAMHSA Issues Consensus Statement on Mental Health Recovery…………………….
19-20
Resources……………………………………………………………………………
21
Late Life Depression Research……………………………………………………..
22
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY and RECOMMENDATIONS
The scope of concerns about mental health in late life is broad and mixed. First, there are
research studies that confirm older adults are less likely to experience major depression, but
more likely to experience minor depression. There are changes in the funding and priorities
of the publicly funded mental health system that make it less likely older adults will be served,
unless they meet serious mental illness criterion and are not on Medicare. There is a growing
awareness of the link between physical health and mental health from public health
professionals, those studying healthy aging and those reimbursing health care providers.
People with untreated mental health problems consume more health care resources.
Depression, a common problem, is treatable. Nationally and federally, the focus on mental
health has re-emerged. There are numerous reports on mental health, older adults and the
impact of stigma in dealing with mental illness.
Throughout the discussion, several key points remained constant: mental illness is treatable
and treatment can relieve symptoms, if not provide a cure. Yet the fear of stigma for
receiving mental health treatment prevents many people from seeking help. If this were
diabetes or hypertension, there would be a public outcry denouncing discrimination against
people with those diseases and support for those who seek treatment. Age bias combines
with mental health stigma and reduces the likelihood of receiving treatment. And finally, there
are behavioral-cognitive approaches, medications, and social support that improve the quality
of life for older adults with mental health problems. These research-based interventions
provide an array of services. Even physical exercise such as walking can improve one’s
mood. Hopelessness is a symptom of depression, not an accurate perception of mental
health care.
The Council identified several areas for action to address the mental health needs of older
adults. Stigma is a key factor that impedes people from being diagnosed and treated. The
report lists many anti-stigma resources and asks the aging network to reduce stigma in its
language, policies and programs. Stigma is supported by assumptions about older adults and
mental illness that create the classic “catch-22:” if you are miserable and seek help, you
could be socially ostracized for seeking help to end your misery. Society uses stigma to
entrap people with mental illness and then to punish them for trying to get better.
Finally, the Council recognizes that even if an older person is aware of depression and willing
to overcome the stigma to seek help, there are insufficient mental health resources to use.
As noted in the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on mental health, for older adults, the most
frequent source of mental health assistance is the primary care physician. The public mental
health system has evolved over the past decade to focus on people with serious mental
illness, a criterion that older adults generally fail to meet. For people in health plans, mental
health services may be limited. For those on Medicare, the 50% co-pay may be a barrier.
The State Advisory Council on Aging, therefore, recommends that the Commission on
Services to the Aging and the MI Office of Services to the Aging develop a statewide
older adult mental health initiative encompassing strategies of advocacy, education,
programs and training.
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The State Advisory Council on Aging suggests the following action steps to implement this
recommendation:
Advocacy:
• The Commission and the Office should lead or participate in activities to:
o Promote mental health awareness across the state, including aging service providers,
older adults and family caregivers;
o Support a message of recovery, in conjunction with the Department of Community
Health’s Recovery Council;
o Work to reduce the stigma of mental illness; and
o Encourage access to mental health treatment and support services.
Education:
• The Commission and the Office should lead or participate in activities that educate the public
about mental health and mental illness. Older adults and their families need information on
common symptoms of mental illness, identification of depression, and resources that can
provide assistance. Suggested methods include:
o Brown bag forums held locally to provide information about mental health;
o Public awareness campaign about depression;
o Prepare and distribute a booklet on mental health concerns for the public and older
adults;
o Recruit older adults to share their stories with stigma and mental health treatment; and
o Provide mental health information at health fairs, senior centers, faith organizations
and community centers.
Programs:
• The Commission and the Office should be leaders in the development of strong programs that
promote good mental and physical health for older adults. The aging network of services can
play an essential role in creating positive opportunities for older adults and reducing the stigma
of seeking treatment for mental health problems. The Council suggests:
o Programs and agencies receiving funding from the Office of Services to the Aging be
required to demonstrate successful outcomes from a mental health component, by
increasing the identification of depression, coordination with mental health service
providers and assessing depression as part of the physical functioning assessment.
Training:
• The Commission and the Office should lead or participate in activities that provide education
and training to providers of older adult programs and services on mental health. Suggested
activities include:
o Provide health care providers and direct care staff with information on the link between
physical and mental well-being in older adults;
o Educate/inform professionals on depression as a disease to remove institutional-based
stigma. The stigma of seeking help for depression prevents people from being treated;
o Senior center and senior service staff should understand their role in reducing stigma,
know how to recognize possible depression among older adults and what to do; and
o Use long-term care and other health service discussions to educate health
professionals on the need to identify and treat older adults with depression. Older
adults have many interactions with health care systems.
5
State Advisory Council Meetings: 2005-2006
Meeting Summary
June 2005: The meeting included orientation to the Council and a report on the May Commission
meeting. The Mayor’s Office of the City of Detroit gave a presentation on the Mayor’s Task Force on
Dying Before Their Time, which addresses the urban health status of older adults in Detroit. This was
a follow-up presentation from the previous year’s Council work on healthy aging. The Council received
updates on local planning for Elder Friendly Communities and the implementation of Medicare Part D.
To plan for future meetings, Council members did a brainstorm exercise, listing their questions and
concerns on mental health issues.
October 2005: The Council received updates on the Commission meetings, Medicare Part D
outreach activities and the Michigan State University Elder Friendly Community Project. The Council
received a presentation from the Public Health Administration of the Department of Community Health
on depression as a public health problem. The director of the Mental Health and Aging Project at
Lansing Community College, funded by the Department of Community Health, also described
activities to support the mental health system in serving older adults.
December 2005: Two presentations on mental health services for older adults from a statewide
perspective were the central to this meeting. The Older Adult specialist of the Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Administration in the Department of Community Health gave an overview. The
Director of the Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards gave the second. Both
provided excellent information about existing services, legal mandates and funding. The Council also
received updates on Medicare Part D enrollment and the MSU Elder Friendly Communities Project.
February 2006: Staff from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan presented their work in depression
awareness to the Council. The Council also received a report about the Department of Community
Health’s Recovery Council, on which a Council member serves. Other reports include: updates on
OSA’s Healthy Aging activities, the development of the Elder Friendly Communities assessment tools
and Medicare Part D implementation information. The Council began to identify issues and questions
for the annual report.
March 2006: The Director of the Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University discussed recent
research in late-life depression, providing a clinical framework and new findings. Council members
developed the annual report’s recommendation and planned for the April joint meeting with the
Commission on Services to the Aging.
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Mental Health and Aging
The State Advisory Council on Aging recommends that the Commission on Services to the
Aging and the MI Office of Services to the Aging develop a statewide older adult mental health
initiative encompassing strategies of advocacy, education, programs and training.
In 2005, the Council reported on the importance of health promotion and disease prevention. In the
intervening year, the focus on healthy choices and lifestyles has increased. People desire good
health, yet good health cannot be achieved without mental health. Mental health is an important issue,
regardless of age.
In 2005-2006, the Council examined mental health issues for older adults. After spending a year
discussing mental health, the Council realized that, in fact, most of time was spent discussing mental
illness. The U.S. Surgeon General's 1999 report defines mental health as "the successful
performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other
people, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity." This includes:
• a sense of well-being;
• resiliency – being able to deal with life's stresses and bounce back from adversity;
• flexibility – the ability to change, grow;
• self-confidence and good self-esteem.
People with good mental health enjoy being with family and friends; are willing to help others; lead a
mostly tension free life; laugh often; accept that other people are different from them; don’t try to
change others and approach problems as part of life.
Unlike many physical health problems, mental health problems carry a social stigma. Despite a
growing sophistication about mental illness, its causes, treatment and recovery, people continue to
express negative views about persons in need of mental health services. The important aspect about
stigma is that “fear of stigma, and the resulting discrimination, discourages individuals and their
families from getting the help they need.” (SAMHSA, 1999).
To use the physical health analogy, this is like society discouraging people from having their blood
sugar level taken and being treated for diabetes because it is a serious illness that could impact the
person’s functioning. The consequences for not being diagnosed or treated are dire, yet stigma is
placed on the person for seeking assistance. Mental health professionals state that diabetes and
depression are the same: both conditions are diagnosable, treatable and able to be managed with
appropriate care.
Older adults have an additional burden. A youth-oriented society tends to value youth. Age bias
combines with the stigma about mental illness and creates “double jeopardy.”
A recently issued U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report on older Americans and the
stigma of having a mental illness cites three types of stigma: self-stigma; public stigma and
institutional stigma. Self-stigma occurs when older adults are fearful of acknowledging their own
mental illness. Public stigma refers to the general view of older adults with mental illness as being
people who are not able to improve or are unworthy of treatment. Institutional stigma occurs when
assumptions about older adults with mental illnesses are incorporated into public policy, funding
decisions or other means of discriminating against these individuals. (“Mentally Healthy Aging: A
Report on Overcoming Stigma for Older Americans,” SAMHSA, 2005.) Information on this report,
other resources and an Anti-Stigma fact sheet can be found in this report.
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Mental Health and Aging
Throughout the various presentations, information, reports and research about mental health issues
for older adults, the issue of stigma was a constant. It is, perhaps, the greatest barrier to improving
the quality of life for older adults with mental illness. To fund mental health programs for older adults
will provide limited impact, if older adults are not able to recognize a need for the services and are
unwilling to seek professional intervention.
The Council noted a recent media campaign on depression (www.DepressionHurts.com ) This
message exemplifies a key issue: people with depression and those around them are affected by the
symptoms of a disease that is treatable. Also, there are a growing number of celebrities
acknowledging their experiences with depression. Their message is the same: depression is a
disease and can be treated.
Below is a summary of the issues the Council explored and discussed. Throughout the presentations,
the impact of stigma is evident. On behalf of older adults experiencing mental illness without
treatment or medication, the Council encourages advocacy to reduce the stigma of mental illness.
DEPRESSION AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE
National and state statistics indicate that about 20% of older adults (age 65+) have depressive
symptoms. As noted in the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on Mental Health, major depressive
disorder, the most common type of major depression in adults, is characterized by one or more
episodes that include the following symptoms: depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure in
activities, significant weight loss or gain, sleep disturbance, psychomotor agitation or retardation,
fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, loss of concentration, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
Most older adults do not experience major depression, but experience depressive symptoms as part
of a minor depression. That is, they have some, but not all of the symptoms and often there is an
identifiable source for the depressed mood.
When researchers look at major depression among people of all ages, both prevalence and incidence
studies that rely on DSM-based diagnosis of major depression suggest a decline with age, whereas
symptom-based assessment studies show increased rates of depression among older adults,
especially women. Although older people are less likely to experience a major depression than
younger adults, they are more likely to exhibit the symptoms of depression that interfere with life
activities.
The Council received information on the public health perspective on depression; public health is
interested in factors such as prevalence and opportunities for prevention and control. They are also
interested in conditions that affect broad population. Public Health staff had read articles and research
that linked physical and mental health, especially the occurrence of depression in people with heart
disease and whether depression can cause heart disease.
Awareness of links between mental and physical health is growing. Studies have found that
depression is a risk factor for chronic illness and contributes to higher symptom burden, complications
and mortality. Chronic illness is a risk factor for depression and each factor complicates the other.
These findings are supported by the U.S. the Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health (1999) and
the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health (2003). Both documents support the
idea of promoting mental health as essential to overall health.
National studies reported that among those with chronic illness, especially with ischemic heart
disease, stroke, cancer, chronic lung disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease,
the prevalence of clinically significant depression in later life is estimated to be highest—
approximately 25 percent.
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Mental Health and Aging
At a one-day meeting on depression in 2005, Michigan experts on depression across the life span
shared research findings, ideas and developed a list of recommended actions. Public health functions
included collecting statewide data, organizing efforts to resolve the problems and improving access to
needed services. The recommended actions on depression in late life include:
• Promote healthful lifestyle choices
• Mobilize partners to help older adults adopt healthful behaviors
• Collaborate to conduct ongoing public education targeting older adults and their significant
others
• Promote ways to decrease social isolation
• Expand access to home based support
• Identify high-risk populations and ways to reach them
• Implement evidence-based gatekeeper models.
• Train and prepare partners to identify and reduce barriers to assessment and referral
• Screen for depression at each primary care encounter and manage or refer appropriately
• Improve quality of depression management services
• Convene multidisciplinary group of public/private partners to guide efforts and advocate
solutions
• Educate policymakers, purchasers, payers about problems and potential solutions
• Advocate for mental health parity.
MENTAL HEALTH AND AGING PROJECT
The Department of Community Health has supported a statewide program for many years to help
mental health staff better serve older adults. The Mental Health & Aging Project has an array of
activities designed to assist local community mental health service agencies and aging services to
better meet the needs of older adults. The project provides training, resources through a lending
library, a newsletter, and information sheets on caring. Project staff coordinates an annual mental
health and aging conference, funded by the Department and attended by both community mental
health and aging services staff. Throughout the year, they hold regional meetings for mental health
staff and aging services.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: THE PUBLIC SYSTEM
The public mental health service system has changed over the past decade. Since 1995, there has
been an updated Mental Health Code, the creation of the Department of Community Health and a
clear focus within the mental health system to direct services to those with serious mental illness and
those eligible for Medicaid. In previous years, older adults accounted for less than 1% of consumers
of community mental health services. This situation has not changed. Only 9,652 persons age 65+
were served by mental health services during FY 2004. The total number of people served for mental
illness was 144,435. This means that people age 65+ were only .07% of the service population for
mental illness.
The Council received a report on the factors that guide the operation of the state mental health
system and local community mental health service agencies. Previously, the community mental
health system provided an array of clinical services, most frequently, face to face counseling.
Services were available to people experiencing a range of mental health issues. In the past decade,
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Mental Health and Aging
the mental health system has focused on serving people with the most serious types of mental illness
and the least amount of resources. Funding streams, contracts and service eligibility all support this
focus.
The Council received information about late life depression that indicated older adults were less likely
to experience a major depression, which is a serious mental illness, and more likely to experience a
minor depression, a disorder with the same symptoms, but less severity. The public mental health
system’s mandate to serve individuals with the most serious mental illness and least resources further
reduces service options for older adults.
There are gaps in our knowledge about older adults’ receipt of services from community mental health
agencies. First, it is estimated that about 25,000 people over the age of 65 could meet the serious
mental illness criteria. This number is based on studies done in other parts of the country. While over
9000 people age 65+ received mental health services in FY 2004, little is known about the people
who were not served. Where do they live? Are they receiving care from other sources? Have they
sought services?
The difficulties older people face with the public mental health system are known; yet, there is little
data about private services from primary care physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists and clinical
social workers. Older adults on Medicaid may be enrolled in a Medicaid health plan that includes a
number of clinical sessions, but older people, at age 65, are Medicare beneficiaries and must rely on
the “fee for services” system. Medicare provides a mental health benefit that has improved over the
years. However, Medicare requires 50% co-pay for outpatient mental health. According to providers,
this can be $100+ per session for a psychiatrist. The Council was unable to locate any data on the
amount of outpatient mental health services provided under Medicare coverage. As noted in the U.S.
Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health, it is estimated that most psychoactive medications, e.g.,
antidepressants, anti-anxiety, etc., are prescribed by older adults’ primary care physicians, not by
mental health professionals. There is no stigma for visits to the primary care physician.
An epidemiological study of persons with serious mental illness was used to estimate the number of
people in Michigan. In the 55-64 age group, about 46,902 individuals have SMI. Of those age 65+,
about 25,256 have SMI. These numbers are based on the percentages found in studies done in other
parts of the country. The department’s trend report on services indicated that there was a slight
increase for older adults served in the late 1990’s but this has returned to the current level of .07% for
the past few years.
Recovery in mental illness is a major initiative for DCH. Recovery is described as positive individual
expectations and looks beyond symptoms. In February 2006, the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration issued a consensus document with the 10 fundamental principles of
recovery (see page 19-20). Recovery seeks to strengthen the policy and programs of the public
mental health system by supporting consumer-focused programs, such as consumer choice and
control and person centered planning. The Department of Community Health has convened the
Recovery Council to assist in the implementation of the Recovery principles. A member of the State
Advisory Council on Aging has been appointed to the Recovery Council to represent older adults; at
least 75% of the Recovery Council members are either primary or secondary consumers.
Outreach to older adults has been supported through the federal block grant program for mental
health services. The Department of Community Health receives an annual allocation from the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Mental Health Services,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The federal block grant funds are used for grants to
community mental health agencies to develop new services. For older adults, one of the model
programs is the Gatekeeper program, developed in the 1980’s as an outreach program to older
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Mental Health and Aging
adults. The Gatekeeper program uses community members, such as postal workers and utility
workers, to identify older adults with mental health service needs.
A National and State Perspective
Mental health issues are a national concern. There are two key documents that support mental health
services in general and for older adults. The 1999 U.S. Surgeon General Report on Mental Health
was a landmark document and devoted a chapter to the issues and needs of older adults. The
President’s New Freedom Commission Report also established a framework for system
transformation for mental health services. The Michigan Mental Health Commission’s Final Report
(2004) contained 70+ recommendations for improving the public mental health system. The Michigan
Association of Community Mental Health Boards did a crosswalk of these key documents and
identified some common themes.
1.
Stigma is a significant barrier to receiving services, regardless of age and diagnosis.
2.
Consumer involvement is essential; in Michigan, consumers must have a third of the
membership on the CMHSP boards. Programs, such as person centered planning
and self-determination are important.
3.
Interface with primary care is important for substance abuse and mental health
treatment. It is now recognized that mental illnesses have a biological factor and
treatment needs to be coordinated with primary care providers.
4.
Multiple funding streams are confusing, yet rampant. Medicare, Medicaid, general
fund, MIChild, adult waiver, federal block grants: each of these funding streams has
its own requirements and eligibility. The multiplicity of funding sources complicates
the coordination of care.
5.
Impact of early intervention. Studies have shown that early intervention and
prevention can pay off in the long run.
It was noted that two groups have the most difficult access to basic mental health care: young children
and people age 65 and better. For older adults, most of their mental health care doesn’t occur
through the public mental health system. Older adults may be enrolled in a Medicaid service plan,
which provides 20 visits for mental health care. Those aged 65 and better who are eligible for
Medicare are unable to access these 20 visits and are required to use “fee for services” providers
through Medicare. It is estimated that there are about 216,000 dual eligibles (Medicaid and Medicare)
with severe mental illness in Michigan.
The MACMHB recognizes the impact of stigma and has been working with advocacy associations on
anti-stigma campaigns. (See list of Anti-Stigma resources on page 18.)
“The Blues”
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) has sponsored depression awareness activities since
2001. Activities to improve depression awareness and treatment for older adults include: an annual
grant program for depression awareness campaigns; sponsoring educational programs on depression
for caregivers; participation on National Depression Screening Day events; sponsoring physician and
healthcare professional education on depression awareness; poster campaign; and public service
announcements.
Their message is: “Depression. Real. Common. Treatable.”
The Council learned that depression screening through the National Depression Screening Day
resulted in a 2% increase of older adults receiving treatment for depression. As part of the screening
and identification, referrals were made to various organizations and professionals, listed as health
resources by BCBSM.
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Mental Health and Aging
Council members learned that various local agencies had received depression awareness grants from
BCBSM to provide information to older adults and caregivers.
Late Life Depression
Of the various mental illnesses, depression emerged as a specific concern, primarily since depression
is linked to suicide and older adults have the highest rate of completed suicide of any age group.
Media reports of elderly husband-wife murder/suicides are not uncommon and there is a growing use
of firearms among older adults committing suicide.
Depression in late life is especially difficult to detect. First, many of the vegetative symptoms of
depression occur in people with physical health problems or in post-hospitalization, e.g., loss of
interest in activities, sleep problems, appetite changes, slower physical mobility and decreased
energy. While researchers have noted that major depression is less likely among older adults, there
is considerable evidence that minor depression is common.
People living alone are among the group of people least likely to have depression detected. The least
detected groups are men ages 64-75 and everyone age 85 and better.
Findings presented to the Council indicate that depression impacts mortality and physical functioning.
Older adults with depression were found to have increased risk of death, increased disabilities, lower
perception of social support and poorer recovery from disability even when in a rehabilitation program.
Of particular interest were the research findings on exercise interventions for older adults with either
major or minor depression. Weight lifting and lectures were compared over several weeks with a
group of older adults diagnosed with depression. Weight training decreased depression symptoms
and the improvement persisted beyond the initial timeframe. In a study of aerobics, resistance
workouts and educational sessions, aerobics did best at reducing depression and improving physical
functioning. In the 2005 Council report, “sedentary death syndrome” was discussed. It is clear from
new studies with older adults that physical activities not only benefit physical health, but also have
positive effects on people with depression.
There are several causes of depression and more than one cause may be at work in the older person.
Whether there are changes in neurotransmitters, anatomical degeneration in the brain, changes in
function, behavioral reward changes and/or loss and grief, there are treatments for depression.
Medications, behavioral interventions, grief and loss counseling and medical management of physical
conditions can contribute to improved physical functioning, better mood, improved social functioning
and greater life satisfaction.
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STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS' ACTIVITIES
Members of the State Advisory Council tend to be active participants in many organizations and
initiatives. Below are a few of the activities Council members reported as supporting the goals of the
State Advisory Council.
As the Webmaster for a public website on aging http://seniors.tcnet.org/, Council activities are often
posted by this member. This council member also has a local radio show with many older listeners.
The show’s topic is not aging; however, information gained at Council meetings is frequently woven
into the program. As a multimedia person, this member writes a monthly column in the Traverse Area
District Library newsletter, and when applicable, Council topics are included.
A member of the State Advisory Council was appointed to serve on the Mental Health Recovery
Council, convened by the Department of Community Health.
The North Ottawa County Council on Aging hosts a monthly TV show, “Older Americans Today,” on
the public access channel. This past year, a show titled "Transitions" addressed life’s transitions and
how changes can cause depression. The program included information on identification of
depression, how to find help and what individuals can do to prevent depression.
The Grand Haven Senior Activities Center hosts an exercise class 4 days a week. Line Dancing, Tai
Chi, and stretching classes. During the warmer months, a walking class is active. These activities are
offered to help older adults maintain good physical and mental health.
Several members serve on Area Agencies on Aging advisory boards. These members report on the
State Advisory Council meetings on a regular schedule as a standing agenda item.
Members report various advocacy activities on behalf of older adults: assisting with Medicare Part D
implementation, either as a Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program counselor, or in conjunction with
local outreach events. Some members are reviewing local senior millages and working with County
Commissioners to keep them informed of aging issues.
Several council members report to their colleagues and co-workers about Council activities. Social
worker Council members report using information gained through the Council in their work with older
people their family members.
Michigan State University Cooperative Extension’s Vital Aging Think Tank and the Office of Services
to the Aging continue to collaborate on activities to help communities become elder friendly. The
North Ottawa County Council on Aging will be part of a second pilot of this project. This model will
operate with people age 60 and better on the community task force, rather than service providers. The
pilot encompasses two cities, a village, and two townships. A grant award will launch the program.
In another part of Michigan, AARP recently awarded Traverse City with $125,000 for their project to
make elder friendly improvements in the community.
The City of Wyoming Senior Center received a Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan grant and provided
health and wellness programs to older adults through a variety of fitness resources, including exercise
clubs, low impact exercise class and rehabilitation/fitness equipment.
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ELDER FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES: UPDATE
In the Council’s 2004 Annual Report, the Council reported on the importance of creating elder
friendly communities. The concept had already been implemented in various parts of the
United States and Canada in recognition of the global trend of aging.
As follow-up to the Council’s report, the Commission agreed to support elderly friendly projects
in Michigan by working in partnership with other organizations. The Commission and the
Office of Services to the Aging designated the State Advisory Council as the entity to provide
guidance to the creation of a statewide community recognition program.
The Vital Aging Think Tank, which is convened through the Michigan State University
Extension Service, has been beta testing the Elder Friendly Communities certification program
throughout 2005. After considerable thought and public input, the name has been changed to
"A Community for a Lifetime: Creating Elder Friendly Communities in Michigan".
As the assessment documents and certification process have been drafted, MSU staff has
presented the information to the Council. Council members have provided on-going feedback
and input into the process.
There are two communities engaged in working with the Vital Aging Community for a Lifetime
project. Gaylord MI has been the first beta testing site. North Ottawa County will be the
second beta test community. Gaylord started during the past year; North Ottawa County is just
beginning. Comments and concerns from the participants in the Gaylord program have been
helpful in designing the recognition award levels. The levels are now: Basic: Elder Friendly
Community Team Member. Level 1: Community in Progress. Level 2: Making Significant
Strides. Level 3: Committed to Success. Level 4: A Community for a Lifetime.
The required assets fall into the following categories:
• Walkability/bikability,
• Supportive community systems,
• Access to health care,
• Safety and security,
• Housing,
• Public transportation,
• Commerce,
• Enrichment, and
• Inclusion.
The Vital Aging Think Tank will be reviewing each of the categories and the requirements
within the categories in the coming months and bringing information to the Council for review.
A final recommendation will be coming to the Council before the end of 2006.
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2005-2006
STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING
Annette Guilfoyle, Chair
Grand Rapids
Fred Leuck
Lapeer, MI
Irene Smith
Dearborn
Bruce Andersen, Sr.,
Interlochen
Diane Levande
East Lansing
Dean Sullivan
Quincy
Gerald A. Betters
Powers
Sharon Maier,
St. Clair Shores
Rex Thatcher
Bay City
George Cavin
Hubbard Lake
Kenneth McGuire
Carp Lake
Louise Thomas
Kentwood
Jean Crabtree,
White Cloud
Penny Murphy
Flint
Mary Jane Tremethick,
Negaunee
David Ellens
Holland
John Pedit
Redford
Alberta Trimble
Detroit
Barbara Farris
Lawton
Gene Pisha
Dearborn
Terry Vear
Hillsdale
Willie Felder, Sr.
Detroit
Gail Ringelberg
Grand Haven
Hope Figgis
Traverse City
Kenneth D. Robbins
Muskegon
Eleanore Flowers
Jones
Ben Robinson
Grosse Pointe Farms
Linda Geml
Kalamazoo
Gil Ruiz
Whitaker,
Lois M. Hitchcock,
Southfield
Cynthia Saunders
Ypsilanti,
Judy Karandjeff
Director
Women’s Commission
Lansing
Jason Horan
Grand Rapids
Richard Schmuckal
Suttons Bay
Staff:
Alice Richmond-Hurst
Sturgis
Michael J. Sheehan
Cedar, MI
Viola Johnson
Battle Creek
Clyde Sheltrown
West Branch MI
Lucille Jones
Flint, MI
Barbara Smith
Ann Arbor
Ex Officio Members:
Regina Allen
Social Security
Administration
Okemos
Sally Steiner
Carol Stangel
Office of Services to the
Aging
15
STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING
Presenters and Guests
Presenters:
Regina Allen
Social Security Administration
John Pedit
Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program
Christine Beatty
Mayor’s Office
City of Detroit
Paul Bridgewater
Detroit Area Agency on Aging
Carol Callaghan
Chronic Injury and Control
Public Health
Michigan Department of Community Health
Sheryl Lowe
Director, Health Policy and Social Mission
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan
Christine Hennessey
Mental Health and Aging Project
Lansing Community College
Alyson Rush
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Michigan Department of Community Health
Lisa Trumbull
Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program
Lansing
Guest Commissioners:
Commissioner Cheryl Bollinger
Commissioner Herman Dooha
Commissioner Thomas Rau
Commissioner Ramesh Verma
Commissioner William Walters, IV
Sherri King
Office of Services to the Aging
Dave LaLumia
Michigan Association of Community Mental
Health Boards
Peter Lichtenberg, Ph.D.
Director, Institute of Gerontology
Professor of Psychology & Psychiatry
Wayne State University
Office of Services to the Aging:
Sharon Gire, Director
Peggy Brey, Deputy Director
Cherie Mollison, Division Director
Holliace Spencer, Division Director
Bonnie Graham, Division Director
Sara Szokowski, Intern
Paul McConaughy
Program Leader
Family & Consumer Sciences
MSU Extension
Michigan State University
16
Anti-Stigma: Do You Know the Facts?
Stigma is not just a matter of using the wrong word or action. Stigma is about disrespect. It is
the use of negative labels to identify a person living with mental illness. Stigma is a barrier. Fear
of stigma, and the resulting discrimination, discourages individuals and their families from
getting the help they need. An estimated 22 to 23 percent of the U.S. population experiences a
mental disorder in any given year, but almost half of these individuals do not seek treatment
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002; U.S. Surgeon General, 2001). The
educational information on this web site encourages the use of positive images to refer to
people with mental illness and underscores the reality that mental illness can be successfully
treated.
•
Do you know that an estimated 44 million Americans experience a
mental disorder in any given year?
•
Do you know that stigma is not a matter of using the wrong word or
action?
•
Do you know that stigma is about disrespect and using negative
labels to identify a person living with mental illness?
•
Do you know that stigma is a barrier that discourages individuals and
their families from seeking help?
•
Do you know that many people would rather tell employers they
committed a petty crime and served time in jail, than admit to being in
a psychiatric hospital?
•
Do you know that stigma can result in inadequate insurance
coverage for mental health services?
•
Do you know that stigma leads to fear, mistrust, and violence against
people living with mental illness and their families?
•
Do you know that stigma can cause families and friends to turn their
backs on people with mental illness?
•
Do you know that stigma can prevent people from getting access to
needed mental health services?
DO'S
DONT’S
Do use respectful language
Don’t portray successful persons with
disabilities as superhuman
Do emphasize abilities, not limitations
Don’t use generic labels such as retarded,
or the mentally ill
Do tell someone if they express a
stigmatizing attitude
Don’t use terms like crazy, lunatic,
manic-depressive, or slow functioning
02/03
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. Available at: http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/OEL99-0004/default.asp
17
Resources to End Stigma
Many National and State groups have begun projects and campaigns to reverse stigma. These
groups offer a range of programs and materials, from speakers bureaus to training programs for
mental health professionals. To get involved, call them. And to learn more about mental health,
call SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center at 800-789-CMHS (2647).
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Mental
Health Information Center
P.O. Box 42557
Washington, DC 20015
800-789-CMHS (2647)
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov
E-mail: [email protected]/
Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma Associated with Mental
Illness: www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov
Older Adult Consumer Mental Health Alliance
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
1101 15th St. N.W.
Suite 1202
Washington, DC 2005
(202) 467-5730 Ext. 140
Office e-mail:[email protected]
http://www.oacmha.com
The Anti-Stigma Project
1521 South Edgewood Street, Suite C
Baltimore, MD 21227
Phone 410-646-0262, 800-704-0262, or
Fax 410-646-0264
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
730 North Franklin Street, Suite 501
Chicago, IL 60610
800-826-3632
The National Mental Health Association Information Center
2001 N. Beauregard Street - 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
800-969-NMHA
The National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 1000
Philadelphia, PA 19107
800-553-4539
Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness Serving Hands International
4607 Mission Gorge Place
San Diego, CA 92120
800-219-4854
18
SAMHSA Issues Consensus Statement on Mental Health Recovery
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration today unveiled a
consensus statement outlining principles necessary to achieve mental health
recovery. The consensus statement was developed through deliberations by over
110 expert panelists representing mental health consumers, families, providers,
advocates, researchers, managed care organizations, state and local public officials
and others.
“Recovery must be the common, recognized outcome of the services we support,”
SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie said. “This consensus statement on mental
health recovery provides essential guidance that helps us move towards
operationalizing recovery from a public policy and public financing standpoint.
Individuals, families, communities, providers, organizations, and systems can use
these principles to build resilience and facilitate recovery.”
The 10 Fundamental Components of Recovery include:
• Self-Direction: Consumers lead, control, exercise choice over, and determine
their own path of recovery by optimizing autonomy, independence, and control of
resources to achieve a self-determined life. By definition, the recovery process
must be self-directed by the individual, who defines his or her own life goals and
designs a unique path towards those goals.
• Individualized and Person-Centered: There are multiple pathways to recovery
based on an individual’s unique strengths and resiliencies as well as his or her
needs, preferences, experiences (including past trauma), and cultural background
in all of its diverse representations. Individuals also identify recovery as being an
ongoing journey and an end result as well as an overall paradigm for achieving
wellness and optimal mental health.
• Empowerment: Consumers have the authority to choose from a range of options
and to participate in all decisions—including the allocation of resources—that will
affect their lives, and are educated and supported in so doing. They have the ability
to join with other consumers to collectively and effectively speak for themselves
about their needs, wants, desires, and aspirations. Through empowerment, an
individual gains control of his or her own destiny and influences the organizational
and societal structures in his or her life.
• Holistic: Recovery encompasses an individual’s whole life, including mind, body,
spirit, and community. Recovery embraces all aspects of life, including housing,
employment, education, mental health and healthcare treatment and services,
complementary and naturalistic services (such as recreational services, libraries,
museums, etc.), addictions treatment, spirituality, creativity, social networks,
community participation, and family supports as determined by the person.
Families, providers, organizations, systems, communities, and society play crucial
19
roles in creating and maintaining meaningful opportunities for consumer access to
these supports.
• Non-Linear: Recovery is not a step-by step process but one based on continual
growth, occasional setbacks, and learning from experience. Recovery begins with
an initial stage of awareness in which a person recognizes that positive change is
possible. This awareness enables the consumer to move on to fully engage in the
work of recovery.
• Strengths-Based: Recovery focuses on valuing and building on the multiple
capacities, resiliencies, talents, coping abilities, and inherent worth of individuals.
By building on these strengths, consumers leave stymied life roles behind and
engage in new life roles (e.g., partner, caregiver, friend, student, employee). The
process of recovery moves forward through interaction with others in supportive,
trust-based relationships.
• Peer Support: Mutual support—including the sharing of experiential knowledge
and skills and social learning—plays an invaluable role in recovery. Consumers
encourage and engage other consumers in recovery and provide each other with a
sense of belonging, supportive relationships, valued roles, and community.
• Respect: Community, systems, and societal acceptance and appreciation of
consumers —including protecting their rights and eliminating discrimination and
stigma—are crucial in achieving recovery. Self-acceptance and regaining belief in
one’s self are particularly vital. Respect ensures the inclusion and full participation
of consumers in all aspects of their lives.
• Responsibility: Consumers have a personal responsibility for their own self-care
and journeys of recovery. Taking steps towards their goals may require great
courage. Consumers must strive to understand and give meaning to their
experiences and identify coping strategies and healing processes to promote their
own wellness.
Hope: Recovery provides the essential and motivating message of a better future—
that people can and do overcome the barriers and obstacles that confront them.
Hope is internalized; but can be fostered by peers, families, friends, providers, and
others. Hope is the catalyst of the recovery process.
The National Consensus Statement on Mental Health Recovery is available at SAMHSA’s National
Mental Health Information Center at www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov or
1-800-789-2647.
20
RESOURCES
•
Department of Community Health
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch
•
National Institute of Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov/
•
The Michigan Mental Health Commission’s Final Report (2004) and
Transforming Mental Health Care in Michigan (2005) are available at:
http://www.michigan.gov/mentalhealth
•
Mentally Healthy Aging: A Report on Overcoming Stigma for Older Americans.
DHHS Pub. No. (SMA) 05-3988. Rockville, MD: Center for Mental Health
Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2005.
This publication may be accessed electronically through the following Internet World Wide Web
connection: www.samhsa.gov . For additional free copies of this document, please call
SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center at 1-800-789-2647 or 1-866-889-2647
(TDD).
•
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health: A Report of the
Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center
for Mental Health Services, National Institute of Metal Health, 1999.
This publication may be accessed electronically through following Internet World Wide Web
connection: www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/home.html. For additional
copies of this document, please contact SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center at
1-800-789-7954 or P.O. Box 42490, Washington, DC 20015.
•
Older Adults: Depression and Suicide Facts. NIH Pub. No. 03-4593. Bethesda,
MD: National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, 2003.
This publication may be accessed electronically through following Internet World Wide Web
connection: www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/elderlydepsuicide.cfm. For additional copies of this
document, please contact the NIMH Information Center at 1-866-615-6464 or at
[email protected].
•
New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, Final Report. Achieving the
Promise: Transforming Mental Health Care in America. DHHS Pub. No. SMA-033832. Rockville, MD: 2003.
This publication may be accessed electronically through the following Internet World
Wide Web connection: www.mentalhealthcommission.gov or
www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov. For additional free copies of this document please
call SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center at 1-800-662-4357 or 1-
800-228-0427 (TTD).
21
LATE LIFE DEPRESSION RESEARCH
Lichtenberg, P.A., Kimbarow, M.L., Wall, J.R., Roth, R.E. & MacNeill,
S.E. (1998). Depression in Geriatric Medical and Nursing Home Patients: A
Treatment Manual. Wayne State University Press: Detroit, MI.
Mast, B.T., MacNeill, S.E. & Lichtenberg, P.A. (2004). Post Stroke
and vascular depression in geriatric rehabilitation patients. American
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 12, 84-92
Krishnan, M.S., Mast, B.T., Ficker, L.J., Lawhorne, L. & Lichtenberg,
P.A. (2005). The effects of pre-existing depression on cerebrovascular
health outcomes in geriatric continuing care. Journal of Gerontology:
Medical Sciences, 60A, No. 7, 915-919.
Citation for this report:
State Advisory Council on Aging 2006 Annual Report: Mental Health and Aging.
Lansing, Michigan. Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, 2006.
Available at: www.miseniors.net
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200 copies of this report were printed for a total cost of $241.60 or $1.208 per copy.
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